A pizza takeaway in Bargates, Christchurch was targeted

A series of pictures have been made public by detectives investigating the incident, which happened in a busy town centre street in the early hours of the morning.

Officers say the owner of Don Ninno Pizza and Chicken in Bargates has been caused "a lot of upset" as a result of the incident, which happened just after 2.20am on Monday, December 31 2018.

In footage captured by CCTV cameras installed in the fast food restaurant, a car was seen driving past the window before reversing back.

A man then got out of the driver's side door.

He was then seen to use an object to smash the front windows of the takeaway before driving off.

Police believe a crowbar was used to damage the windows.

The car pictured in the footage is understood to be an Audi A3 or similar.

PC Dominic Upshall, of Christchurch police, said: "This incident has caused the victim a lot of upset, cost and inconvenience.

"I am determined to identify the person responsible.

"As a result, I am issuing the CCTV images of the suspect in the hope that he can be identified."

PC Upshall called for anyone with information, or those who know who the man in the footage is, to contact police on 101 quoting occurrence number 55180208239.

The incident followed a violent attack in Bargates that was committed just days before.

As reported in the Daily Echo, a teenager was punched and kicked by three men in the road on December 22.

The 19-year-old, who was also kicked in the head while he was on the ground, could lose his job and his home after the attack.

He was visiting family in Christchurch from Cyprus, where he lives and works, when the assault took place.

A family friend told the Echo: "He'll be off sick for some weeks and because they don't have the same sickness rules as in the UK, he'll lose his apartment and will likely have to remain here.

"This was not in his plan; it's all because of a vicious attack."